DoT Tentatively Approves Delta Air Lines Service to Tokyo From Seattle

Delta Air Lines has received preliminary approval of new service between Seattle and Tokyo Haneda Airport from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The agreement stems from the 2009 Japan-U.S. Open Skies initiative, which provided more openings for service from the U.S. to Haneda. U.S. airlines had previously been required to use Japan’s Narita Airport since the 1970s.

Originally DoT approved Delta service to Haneda from Detroit, but the department has pre-approved Delta’s July 30 request to move the route to Seattle.

DoT will now hear objections to the newly proposed route, and if approved Delta’s non-stop service to Tokyo Haneda will begin March 2013. More